4
June 24, 2014
in the diocese
Celebrating catechetical ministry…
This edition of The Valley Catholic reports on this year’s Pius X Awards for catechetical ministry, along with a
story about the late Ruth Spencer, (page 5) long-serving committed catechetical leader and faith formation facilitator at Holy Family Parish in San Jose.
Volunteer catechists honored for years of service
By Roberta Ward
Over 60 catechists from parishes in
the Diocese of San Jose were honored
at the St. Pius X Awards Banquet, May
29, when Bishop Patrick J. McGrath
presented them with awards for 10 to
50 years of service. (See list, at right)
This year’s dinner was the 44th such
event in Santa Clara County (before
1981, the county was part of the Archdiocese of San Francisco). Pastors, parish staffs and family members joined
the award recipients.
Bishop McGrath noted that “these
volunteers give so much of themselves
and their time in sharing their faith. I
believe those honored tonight represent a total of 1,010 years of service.
That is amazing!”
He said, “Pope Francis reminds us
that Jesus did not just preach, but He
accompanied others. We are called to
walk with one another on our faith
journey, and that is what you do,” he
said to the catechists.
The bishop also thanked the catechists, their spouses and family members for “supporting the faith formation
of those entrusted to you.”
Catechists with 25, 30, 35, 40, 45
and 50 years of service were especially
noted and this year special recognition was given to Mary Ellen Rocha
for 50 years of service. She has been a
parishioner at St. Mary Parish, Gilroy,
for 33 years and began as a catechist
helper when she was a s